Creative London: George Hodgson
I came up with the idea in 2013 whilst I was suffering with severe anxiety. It was probably during the darkest period of my life when I started working on the idea. I was actually just sitting in Dad’s office and I asked if he’d laugh at me for starting a small t-shirt business, he said no and thought it was a great idea. From there, I researched for a few months to find out more about starting a small fashion business and began putting anxiety images on t-shirts and it sort of grew slowly.
2. TELL US WHAT INSPIRED YOUR CURRENT COLLECTION?
The current collection is inspired by Chinese Opera Masks, they are very popular in drama and musical theatre and date back to the very early period of China. They are bold, unique and recognisable, we thought it would be a great statement (start) to launch the brand.
3. ANY EXCITING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
We recently launched our new MDC Purse collection with an Italian Leather edition and a Holographic Vinyl edition which people are loving at the moment and they both look beautiful attached to our Volpe Bag. As for the future, I can say that we are working on new designer shirts, when they are launching I cannot say. But be sure to stay tuned!
4. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO WITH THE CHARITY YOUNGMINDS?
We are currently partnered with YoungMinds and donate 25% of the proceeds from the ‘Words Fail Me’ T-Shirt to them. I chose YoungMinds especially because they help young people in particular and I know what it’s like to experience a severe form of mental illness at such a young age. I hope in the future we can work with them more.
5. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE HOT SPOTS IN LONDON?
One of my favourite places at the moment is ‘sketch’. I went there a couple of weeks ago when the flower show was on and it was incredible; it felt like Alice in Wonderland; every room you venture into was completely different and then there are the toilets – pods they have got to be the best part, surely. I really like the OXO Tower too, the food is amazing and you have a perfect view of London from the riverside.
6. ANY ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO YOUNG START-UP COMPANIES?
Don’t give up. It can get very hard at times and there will be days when you feel like giving up everything, but just keep going, those days don’t last forever and you can start afresh in the morning. Another great piece of advice I have learned over the few years I’ve been working on MDC is to ask questions and lots of them, people love giving advice and are always happy to help, knowledge is power.
Website: www.maisondechoup.co.uk
Photo credit: Maison de Choup
